The Jeffrey A. Trail Memorial Scholarship is administered at the DeKalb County Community Foundation. The scholarship provides support to recent high school graduates who are admitted and committed to attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The award can be used to pay down the Advance for Clothing and Equipment (ACE) loan and/or offset any additional debt incurred as a student at the academy. Applications are available from April 1 – July 1 each year.

The selected recipient is eligible to receive a total of $5,000 over four years of active enrollment in the academy according to the following schedule:

• Year one – $1,000
• Year two – $1,000
• Year three – $1,000
• Year four – $2,000

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must be formally admitted, and committed to attending, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland for their undergraduate education and training.
• Applicants are considered in the following priority order:
  • A DeKalb County, IL resident
  • A state of Illinois resident in closest proximity to DeKalb County, IL
• View guidelines for this scholarship >

Lt. Jeffrey Allen Trail

Jeffrey A. Trail was the son of Stanley M. and the late B. Ann Trail. He was born in DeKalb, IL, on February 25, 1969. Jeff graduated from DeKalb High School in 1987. He applied for admission to the United States Naval Academy during his senior year. Jeff entered the academy on July 1, 1987. In his last year, he was the Fourth Battalion Adjutant. Jeff greatly valued his years at the academy. In June 1991, he graduated and was commissioned to Ensign in the United States Navy. Jeff continued his professional military career by joining Assault Craft Unit One at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, CA. He became a department head and later, promoted to lieutenant. In June 1995, after serving his commitment, he moved on from active duty with the Navy.

Jeff was a manager at a propane gas distribution company in Minneapolis, MN, when he died suddenly on April 27, 1997. He was 28 years old. The Jeffrey A. Trial Memorial Scholarship Fund was created to honor his life and accomplishments.